Solid build and sound

Only Weakness - too old to give a proper date for this forum

I had the good fortune to buy one of these receivers from a local dealer in the early 70s. I wanted a Pioneer SX-1250 but the salesman said listen to this …… It was awesome and I bought it!
From the reviews I have read here it still is.
My system consisted of the Marantz 2270, Denon belt drive turntable, Revox reel to reel, Nakamichi cassette player and pair of Acoustic Research 10 pi speakers. It was heaven to my ears!
I still compare every system I listen to these days to that one in my mind’s ear.
Few come close, and none compare to the enjoyment I had with this receiver.

Some remember the sound of a McIntosh, the power of Adcom and Hafler, the performance of Threshold, the perfection of Mark Levinson, the wonder of Conrad-Johnson, the art of Audio Research, the beauty of Cello --- I will always love the blue glow of my Marantz 2270 in that way – the BEST.

Marantz built a few special products and I think this was one of them.

Would give it 10 stars but my browser only allows 5.

amazing sound and reliablilty and flexability

uhh....weight....yea, about 40lbs....it'll quickly warp a cheap entertainment center. If it will fit...I keep mine on my desk.

I got this reciever in 1987 from a friend that came into some cash and bought a new Kenwood system. Altho that system is long gone,I've stuck with my 2270 ever since. I've thought about replacing her, I love new stuff, but I have yet to find a reciever that sounds anywhere near as good. As far as reliability goes....hehe...the power button has never worked right, got it fixed once a few years ago, but it stopped working in less than a year(I blame the shop's shotty work, altho they did get the dead roaches out of it...). Otherwise it's pretty much been running since I got it, almost 15 years ago. Without a single hitch.
I've currently got it hooked up with a Denon Quarzt Dp-23
phono, Denon drw-660 tape deck, a Pioneer PD-201 cd player
(to be replaced shortly, at this point I have no plans to upgrade the tape deck tho...why bother?), and I also have my computer hooked up.
I have a nice computer and have played around with a buncha sound cards. Hooked up the Marantz on a Creative Live card first, tried a couple others, but have moved back to the Live card. (upgrading to a Creative Audiology card sonn). Real, real nice....got the Marantz hooked up as rear speakers and some Advents running off the computer as the front(To be upgraded shortly). I swear, Mp3's sound much better run thru good equipment(helps a lot if you use the Lame Mp3 encoder with the Razor frontend at 160 or better... or even better encode in the .shn formatt for digitaly lossless music, sounds like a cd). It's nice being able to have positional 3d with marantz sound, I need a second for the front....hehe.
Want a real good cd recording of those old out of print albums, or bootlegs you don't dare play a lot? Just run a cord from 1 of the 2 record outputs to your computer's soundcard aux input, works great for albums, tapes, radio.
I even use this setup to play computer games. Get good 3d positioning and when the frags start flyin', your there. Unreal will make you jump.
My other input is the vcr. Yup, feed the vcr into the Marantz, the Marantz into the computer and you can simulate 3d pretty well(especialy if your tv sounds good).
If you can lay your hands on one of these babies, grab it. They sound soooo nice, totaly dependable, lots you can do with them, I'll never get rid of mine.

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This is my second entry about the 2270, but I had to tell about a new experience with my old friend, The Marantz. A couple of weeks ago I installed the 2270 in my main system to feed my Magnepan MG 2.7 QR. The Maggies are normally fed by a huge Electrocompaniet EC 250 R poweramp wich delivers some 500 watts and a shipload of current. To my very surprised ears the Marantz 2270 sounded fantastic with a very well focused soundstage, a firm and deep bass, clear mids and a tubelike treble. And it played LOUD !! I had definetly not expected this since the Maggies is a tough load and needs much power and current. If you ever find a 2270 - buy it. Its an amazing piece of equipment.

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Various japs during 70-80,s

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I'm new to vintage audio so I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I purchased this receiver (on Ebay).

Before I hooked it up I wanted to listen to my junk Sony as a reference point. After listening to a movement of Mahler from a very familiar recording on the Sony, I hauled the Marantz out of the box (good grief, it is heavy!) and went through the process of unhooking/hooking up wires.

Finally, the crucial moment arrived... My ears were not prepared for what they heard. Compared to the Sony (which by comparison was dry, hard-edged and lifeless, especially in the midrange and treble), the Marantz was very warm, rich, natural and detailed.....music actually sounded like music...it was glorious!

I spent the rest of the first evening listening to several of my favorite recordings, basking in the wonderful sound (the blue glow is pretty neat, too). Needless to say, I'm a convert. If you find one of these, snatch it up...you won't be disappointed.

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awesome construction powerful beautiful

parts availability may be tough

Ipurchased my 2270 back in 74 it was my first taste of high end stereo,little did I know at the time I was purchasing a true audio classic.The reciever has been in the family for close to 26yrs now.My oldest son is useing it currently with stacked large advents,rega planar 2 turntable,talisman alchemist mcc cartridge,I gotta tell you this reciever still sounds fantastic and I have owned some serious equipment in the past 20 or so years.The tuner section specs are incredible considering its a reciever,the amp section was rated a 70 wpc,very conservative more like 90plus,at less than 1 percent thru the intire frequency range,you can probably pick one of these bad boys up at a second hand shop for around 250.00,you cannot go wrong.Audiophile sound modest cost.I loved this unit when I was a kid and still brings a smile to my face when I hear it today.

tuner, power, phono input, etc.

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This is by far the best of the 2200 series Marantz receivers made and outperforms many of the models in today's market. You just can't go wrong if you pick up one of these, which are often available on eBay. The 2230s are nbot bad either, but you can still find these, so why not go fot one of the best? Also, the wood case is nice if you can get one of these as well. Again, go to eBay and stick w/a reputable seller (i.e., one w/a good feedback rating).

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Fantastic build quality

The capacitors might be out of date. Easy to change for a skilled technician.

I am a very lucky owner of two(2) 2270´s, from 72-73, and with one of them I have the wonderful wodden cabinet.I use them with a AR XA turntable and a pair of Carlsson OA 5 mk2 speakers. It sounds wonderful on all types music. I use this as my second system and I enjoy it very much. It has a very smooth sound with lots of power. I have read in an old German hifi magazine that the 2270 is measured to 90 W in 8ohm and 140 in 4 ohms so it sure can rock !!

great sound and looks

Too heavy to bring with me to work

I had read all the reviews about this receiver and thought that they must have been submitted by guys trying to sell them on E-Bay and/or other guys trying to re-live their pasts with their nostalgic remembrances. I mean, people are giving this thing five out of five stars uniformly! Well, I just got a new house with a finished basement and decided I needed another system (without spending tons of dough). So I bought a 2270 and some KEF Cresta 2's on EBAY (still looking for a CD Player). I hooked it up with my existing CD player (a Sony ES model) and boy did it sound terrible......No, I'm kiddding...everyone on this site was right on! It sounds great, fantastic, warm, musical, whatever.... it just sounds great. I compared it with my Denon AVR 2500 and it was no comparison. The Marantz provides a much warmer and realistic sound. I have to say it - 5 stars all the way! This thing is great and yes, it looks very cool (a got the wood case too). I'm now thinking of getting another vintage receiver, perhaps the Sansui 8080 or 9090 for the upstairs (they seem to be highly reviewed also). Has anyone compared the sound of the Marantz and Sanui from these 70's models? I am curious to know how they compare.

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Solid design,Visually appealing,and of course,THE SOUND!

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I bought this unit off of a friend about 8 years ago,along with a pair of JBL 030's.The 2270 had a problem with the sound cutting out from the right channel,and i let it sit on the shelf for about 6 years.Instead,i used an early 90's Pioneer receiver.What a mistake!In a moment of brilliance,while throwing a party a few years ago,i cranked up the Pioneer,and realised that it sounded like crap!Instead of the sound getting loud and full,with clarity,it actually hurt my ears to listen to it.Out came the 2270,and after fixing a cold solder(which fixed the channel cutout),i was in for the shock of my life.What happened next has changed my life.The 2270 had such an incredibly warm sound,that i have fallen in love with music once more!I turned up volume to 6,and lo and behold,it didn't hurt.In fact,the only thing it did was almost knock me off of my feet every time the kick drum pounded.With no distortion.I have since restored my 2270 with the proper factory lights and a mint walnut case.I've listened to a lot of new digital systems that my buddies own,and my mind is made up.The classic Marantz of the 70's blows them all away.All i have to say to anybody who is reading this review with the prospect of buying the 2270,is TRY IT.You won't be disappointed.

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Mostly everything. Aesthestically, as well as sonically satisfying. Love the timeless design. Built like a tank of course.

Light bulbs behind radio dial blow out frequently. The internal wiring for PHONO 2 needed replacing because the right channel was humming excessively. Otherwise, this receiver is amazing. But, I did replace the wiring myself which was lots of fun. The light bulbs are easy and cheap to find if you go to partsline.com. Only 50 cents each.
Try laughing but I dont find anything else to complain about

I can't get enough of this darn receiver. I know this sounds sacreligioius, but I use it like anything else. I don't treat like an antique that should only be used occasionally. But hell, electronic parts are still fairly available. One of it great qualities is that it does not have single IC inside it. It's quite revealing to my ears.
For any of you other fellow owners of this fine receiver I've got this to say; LOng live the 2270. The only way that Im goin to let go of this fine piece of equipment is when it gets pried out of my cold dead fingers. Otherwise, I'm going to keep it until the day I die! The phono section is quite holographic. But MC catridges are outta the question.
I tried my SUPEX, whose output was naturally lower than an MM. But sounds killer with MM catridges. I tend to enjoy every moment possible with my Marantz 2270. You fellow owners know the feeling. I'm so glad to share the outrageous sensation this receiver has made in my life.
You guys understand. Long live Saul Marantz.

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